Contents

Design

GTA 2

The Tow Truck debuted in GTA 2 as a towing vehicle based on the chassis of a Chevrolet COE, and a cab design similar to certain large trucks in the game (including the Van, Ice Cream Van, Hot Dog Van and the G4 Bank Van); the vehicle is also available with yellow body color only. The vehicle also lacks any towing ability, unlike the Truck Cab and Truck Cab SX. It is only in Multiplayer, so most people who have GTA 2 have never driven it.

GTA San Andreas

In GTA San Andreas, the Tow Truck gains the ability to tow other vehicles. This can be very useful for transporting locked cars, or special vehicles in the game. It can also tow other types of vehicles, including helicopters and airplanes. The Tow Truck, somewhat, resembles a seventh generation F-Series Ford Wrecker. A fun thing to do with this ability is to spawn as many Tow Trucks the player desires and connect all those trucks, as if it were a train.

HD Universe

GTA The Lost and Damned

The Vapid Towtruck in GTA IV's The Lost and Damned appears to be the same make as the Slamvan, which resembles a second generation Ford F-Series tow truck. However, the headlights and grille look like they are from a 1975-'79 Ford Econoline van, and the windshield and door tops awkwardly appear to be from a 1980's Ford F-Series. Constantly featuring "Native Engines" company logos on its doors, it is rusty and in disrepair, and has a distorted horn, much like the "beater" variants of the Emperor, Sabre, and Vigero. As in GTA 2, the Towtruck is incapable of towing anything.

GTA V

There are two different Tow Trucks featuring in GTA V. The regular Towtruck looks the same as in The Lost and Damned. This Tow Truck is capable of being customized in Los Santos Customs like any other vehicle, as well as capable of being stored in any garage owned by the player. It is capable of lifting and towing any vehicle it hooks to, including transport trucks and attached trailers, although you will require all available engine upgrades and a flat surface to make any progress. It is also capable of creating a chain and staying attached to other vehicles even if they player is not in it, meaning you can create large chains of tow trucks strung together without them despawning. These trucks can be found spawning in Paleto Bay coming in off the northern section of the highway, or in tow.

There is also a Large Tow Truck, although the only major differences are the size and inability to be customized and stored, as well as not spawning and being driven on the roads (Unconfirmed reports say they might start spawning and driving around normally after completing all the towing missions with Tonya), although it is still functional should you find one parked in the city. However, unlike the other version, it has a heightened ground clearance, thus towing vehicles considerably easier than its variant.

Performance

Despite being a tow truck, the Tow Truck in GTA San Andreas is very fast, but has a tad understeer. It is perfect for off-road, because of its soft suspensions, great grip, and powerful V8 engine. It is also a durable vehicle, and can even survive a collision with Rhino (which normally blows up weaker vehicles on impact). This can be especially helpful when the Los Santos Riots break out, as it can take quite a number of bullets and survive close up explosions. It handles about the same as the Sadler, only faster, with a stronger engine, and the ability to tow. It ties with other pickup trucks like the Yosemite, in overall performance.

HD Universe

The Towtruck in TLAD is considerably inferior in performance, possessing average acceleration (owed largely to its light weight) and top speed, but possesses poor steering which requires the aid of brakes to corner sharply. Its rear wheel drive configuration and slightly overpowered engine also results in the Towtruck suffering from minor sliding after tight turns.

Trivia

Oddly, in GTA San Andreas, the Tow Truck shares the same horn with the Super GT.

In GTA San Andreas, if large or heavy vehicles are towed by the Tow Truck, some glitches may occur. For example, towing a Dozer and turning the Tow Truck sharply in any direction will throw the two vehicles in opposite directions with great force. Also, if you tow a Packer with some vehicles on its back, the vehicles may sometimes be thrown into the air with great force, and the Packer may catch on fire and explode.

In The Lost and Damned, the tow truck has the same horn as the beater Vigero.

In Grand Theft Auto V you may purchase the towtruck company and begin towtruck mini-missions once completing Tonya's stranger missions.

The Tow Truck in GTA V and TLAD shares its truck bed with the Bobcat but with a different bumper and tail lights and modified bed sides. This is a reference to the Chevrolet stepside trucks (which the Bobcat in GTA IV is based on) which kept th same basic bed design well into the 80s.

Locations

GTA 2

The vehicle is only available in the game's multiplayer modes, as it cannot be found in any districts in Anywhere City or any single-player missions.